Kaap Willemsduin, Wooden beacon on Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands.
Kaap Willemsduin is a wooden beacon located at the eastern tip of Schiermonnikoog island, serving as a navigation aid for vessels traveling through shallow coastal waters. The square structure rests on wooden poles and sits within a network of walking paths that cross the island.
The first beacon was built in 1931 and replaced in 1967 with a new design that uses wooden poles instead of steel cables. This change created a more permanent solution suited to the harsh conditions of the coastal environment.
Maritime navigation in the Wadden Sea region relies on beacons like Kaap Willemsduin to guide vessels through the complex coastal waters.
The beacon is reached from Kaap Kobbeduinen via the Bouwe Hoekstrapad route or through a secondary path along the Stuifdijk from the Waterstaatpad. The trails are clearly marked for walkers, though conditions vary with the season.
The beacon underwent major renovation in 2018 and is now registered as a geodetic reference point within the National Park Schiermonnikoog. This function makes it an important location for scientific measurements and mapping work.
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